Pit Fired Work

This collection of work was created by hand-forming individual pieces of clay. The small pieces  have been bisque-fired in my kiln.  After the pieces  have cooled, I reburn them in a shallow outdoor pit. I use the clippings from around the property including twigs and grasses as well as dried leaves. I often add banana leaves and sawdust to the burn. Following the pit-firing, the small pieces are then hand-washed and scrubbed gently with a toothbrush to remove the soot! The smokey pieces remind me of the variations in colors of the natural world. As the clay has originally come from the ground, I return it to the ground to allow the natural fire to enhance the finished pieces.